Kaylee & Evan: Scandinavian Celebration

Kaylee and Evan’s first wedding was a simple affair—no family, friends, or flowing white gown.

by Anna Befort |
August 1, 2013

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Photography by Studio 306

The couple stole a few moments to drive around the Minneapolis lakes in a Rolls-Royce

Photography by Studio 306

A keepsake of their vows

Photography by Studio 306

The bride and her family
designed all of the flower
arrangements

Photography by Studio 306

Fiddlers played Scandinavian songs

Photography by Studio 306

The couple’s Tiffany & Co. rings

Photography by Studio 306

The dinner spread in the Afghan Room

Photography by Studio 306

Thank you favors

Photography by Studio 306

The flowers were locally sourced and seasonal

Photography by Studio 306

Guests enjoyed games at the reception

Photography by Studio 306

Kransekake, a traditional Norwegian almond ring cake

Photography by Studio 306

Guests surprised the couple with some a cappella singing

Photography by Studio 306

The couple served custom cakes in fall flavors

Photography by Studio 306

Guests picked their own Honeycrisp apples to take home

Photography by Studio 306

The “progressive” reception was held at The Bachelor Farmer to honor the couple’s love of Minnesota and Scandinavia

Kaylee and Evan’s first wedding was a simple affair—no family, friends, or flowing white gown. In fact, says Kaylee, “It was a comedy of errors that whole day, we were just laughing the whole time.”

The Valentine’s Day 2009 courthouse ceremony in San Diego did take care of the important part, though: It made them husband and wife. That allowed Kaylee and Evan to focus on other details, like how to live in the same state. The couple, who met in high school and started dating in college, had been long-distance since Evan joined the Navy.

By the time Kaylee and Evan started planning their second wedding, they were living in Hawaii and missing their home state, so they decided to make their event a celebration of their marriage and of Minnesota. “The things I went into it really wanting to focus on were Minnesota and then Norwegian heritage and then fall, because it was in September,” says Kaylee. “And there are no seasons here,” adds Evan.

That vision was beautifully accomplished on a sunny day in mid-September. The bride, a former Miss Minnesota USA, looked stunning in a Romona Keveza gown, while Evan was dashing in his Navy dress uniform. Guests went from the traditional ceremony at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church to the reception at The Bachelor Farmer, which encapsulated the couple’s three themes. Scandinavian fiddlers played during the cocktail hour, while guests drank signature cocktails made with aquavit and later sampled Norwegian kransekake wedding cake. The Minnesota aspect was well represented with local beer and wine, gift boxes filled with Minnesota products, and Honeycrisp apples as the fall-focused favors.

Bachelor Farmer co-owner Eric Dayton added a fun twist to the night with the idea of a progressive reception: Cocktail hour started in the Library, then the door opened to a Scandinavian dinner spread in the colorful Afghan Room. After dinner, guests moved into the lounge-y Living Room for toasts, and then the Rec Room—complete with ping-pong and table hockey—opened after dessert. “It was the coolest thing,” says Kaylee. “People told us they really loved that, that there was always more to discover throughout the night.”